Conservative commentator Tucker Carlson challenged Piers Morgan to say a gay slur on camera while discussing free speech in the United Kingdom.During Wednesday’s episode of The Tucker Carlson Show, the topic arose after Carlson referenced a story from The Daily Mail about Elizabeth Kinney, a 34-year-old woman who was convicted of a hate crime for using the slur against her attacker in text messages. She was fined and sentenced to a 12-month community order.Arguing that “you’re allowed to be homophobic if you want in a free country,” Carlson asked Morgan directly: “Would you say the word on camera?”Morgan, who said he hadn’t heard the story before, replied, “No.”Carlson pressed: “Why? You don’t want to get arrested, do you?” He added provocatively, “Ohhh, because it’s so harmful to people? Is it like gay-bashing? What’s wrong with that?”Morgan said you don’t need to use derogatory language about the LGBTQ community to make a point about women’s rights. Carlson used the word several times saying, “I’m using it because you’re not allowed to because you’re …”“I am allowed to, I just choose not to,” Morgan replied.Carlson defended himself, saying he is not anti-gay and “never has been,” adding: “I can use any word I want. How about this? Let my life, the way that I actually live and treat people, be the testament to my heart. That’s how I feel. And if I’ve mistreated someone, that is a sin.”Morgan interrupted, suggesting Carlson wouldn’t use the word directly to a gay person’s face. Carlson responded: “Not in a mean way. Just like the only people who say the ‘N-word’ are Black. Period.” He added that during his time in TV news, he had been around many gay people who used the word themselves.Carlson, who was fired from Fox News in April 2023, has a history of controversial remarks and conspiracy theories. He previously claimed in his biography, Tucker, by Chadwick Moore, that “being racist is not a crime,” though he acknowledged it might be a moral crime.
